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Accounting & Finance
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Banking & Financial Services
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Business Support
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Human Resources
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Legal
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Procurement & Supply Chain
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Risk, Compliance & Financial Crime
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Sales & Commercial
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Technology & Transformation
Temporary and contract recruitment
Attract top-tier temporary talent for your business in the UK with our tailored contract recruitment solutions, designed to meet your hiring needs. Partner with our expert recruiters in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and beyond, who excel at understanding your vision and connecting you with skilled temporary professionals to drive your business forward.
Temporary talent can be your bridge to success.
Flexible. Fast. And ready for action. Our community of contingent workers can jump in whenever you need them, helping you hit project deadlines, meet peaks in demand, and minimise staff costs. What’s more, in the UKs fast-changing market, our contract personnel have their finger on the pulse of what’s new – providing you with emerging and cutting-edge skills.
When you need contingent staffing, our agency keeps the process streamlined and simple – taking care of the admin, costs and financial risk so you don’t have to. We’ll customise a payroll solution for your organisation, tailored to size, industry, employment legislation, location and operational complexity.
We’ve developed trusted relationships with our contingent workforce, so you can depend on them for short-term or long-term assignments. We nurture our network by providing a unique benefits program featuring an array of financial and wellbeing benefits.
Trusted by over 11,000+ organisations
Areas we recruit in
Secure top talent for your next hire
Let us connect you with the talent that can take your business forward.Why choose Robert Walters to handle your temporary staffing needs?
- Receive a tailored service. With over 38 years in operation, we have a proven track record in delivering high-quality temp hiring solutions tailored to the exact requirements of the UK businesses we serve.
- Partner with industry experts. Many of our contract recruitment consultants come from the industries they serve, meaning they have built hyper-specialist knowledge of the industry you operate in.
- Acquire data-driven insights. Our temporary recruitment strategy is highly targeted, defined by the insights of our market intelligence function.
- Take advantage of our global reach. Our International Candidate Management teams have access to the top talent pools from across the globe.
- Share our expertise. Giving you access to our specialist knowledge and in-depth experience through a broad range of insights, advice and thought leadership.
We connect you with an expert consultant well-versed in your field, dedicated to matching candidates with the precise skills your organisation requires. Providing a tailored shortlist for your temporary recruitment needs, boosting your search efficiency.
Our contractor recruitment agency conduct thorough research, use multi-channel sourcing, and map the market to create a tailored talent pool for temporary recruitment, offering unparalleled access to both active and passive job seekers, surpassing traditional methods.
In the dynamic landscape of temp recruitment, we offer ongoing support to both you and our candidates throughout the hiring process. From application to post placement check ins, we ensure a seamless transition and perfect fit for temporary roles in your organisation..
Our track record
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43,000
Professionals we help start their next chapter
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11,000
Organisations who we help acquire talent
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85%
Of professionals refer us to a friend
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90%
Of organisations recruit more than one role through us
Speak to our expert contract recruiters
Lucy Bisset
Temporary & Contract Recruitment, North
Lucy has almost 20 years' experience within the recruitment industry, and has been with Robert Walters since 2011. Lucy now heads up the Manchester and Liverpool offices.
Habiba Khatoon
Temporary & Contract Recruitment, Midlands
With over 15 years of experience in specialist recruitment services, Habiba has gained an extensive network across the Midlands market. Habiba now oversees the Birmingham office.
Dan Harris
Temporary & Contract Recruitment, London & South East
Dan has over 12 years' experience within the recruitment industry and joined Robert Walters in 2015. Dan now oversees our offices in London and the South East.
Our success stories
Hear inspiring success stories from our clients and candidates as they flourish in their new career journeys.Our other recruitment services
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Permanent recruitment
Expand your team with professionals who will drive your business forward. Explore permanent hiring.
Read more -
Executive search
Our specialist Executive Search service gives the full picture to hiring managers and prospective leaders alike.
Read more -
Interim management
Connect with interim managers that can offer strategic value to your organisation.
Read more -
Statement of Work
Agile, alternative solutions for project teams and resource - an end-to-end procurement service.
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Public sector recruitment
Discover talent to help drive business transformation and maximise efficiency.
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Recruitment marketing campaigns
Utilise a suite of marketing tools to capture the attention of the best talent.
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International career management
Attract international talent with our specialist International Career Managers.
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Diverse hiring audit
Identify bias and bias in your recruitment process with our bespoke reporting solution.
Read more
An award-winning service
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FAQs
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What are the benefits of hiring temporary staff?
- Flexibility: Partnering with a UK temporary staffing agency allows businesses to scale their workforce according to fluctuations in demand, providing a solution particularly suited to seasonal operations or those with unpredictable workloads.
- Specialised skills: Temp staff placements often bring specific skills or experience, allowing businesses to leverage talent they may not have internally. This can be particularly useful for short-term projects or busy periods.
- Cost-effectiveness: In comparison to permanent staffing, this strategy frees businesses from the responsibility of supplying full benefits. Additionally, temporary staff can be compensated solely for the hours they work, mitigating expenses during idle periods.
- Assessment opportunity: Provides candidates an opportunity to showcase their skills before potentially transitioning into a permanent position.
Tell us about a temporary hiring requirement, and one of our consultants will be in touch to discuss how we can help.
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What types of positions can be filled through temporary and contract recruitment?
We provide temporary and contract recruitment solutions across a broad spectrum of roles and industries. These include Accounting & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Operations, Technology & Transformation, Legal, Risk, Compliance & Financial Crime, Supply Chain, Procurement & Logistics, Human Resources, and Sales & Commercial.
Whether you're seeking short-term cover, project-based support, or interim expertise, our flexible approach allows us to tailor solutions to your specific business needs.
We work with organisations of all sizes to fill roles at various levels - from entry-level to senior leadership - ensuring you have access to skilled professionals when you need them most.
Our consultants understand the nuances of each sector and are equipped to deliver talent that aligns with your goals, helping you maintain continuity and drive performance.
Read our client case studies to find out more our temporary hiring track record – e.g. a volume recruitment assignment sourcing specialist tech contractors in Manchester.
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How quickly can you provide temporary staffing solutions?
Our team prides itself on our agile process, which ensures fast and effective matching with top-tier candidates for temporary or contract roles.
Thanks to our extensive candidate pool and long-standing relationship with our UK contingent workforce, we’re able to respond quickly to urgent hiring needs.
As timelines will be dependent on your specific hiring requirements, please get in touch a member of the team to discuss by submitting a temporary requirement.
Our temp recruiters use innovative candidate sourcing strategies to quickly reach both active and passive candidates.
Our team brings deep sector knowledge and a consultative approach, tailoring solutions to your specific requirements and level of urgency.
Whether you need short-term cover, project-hiring support, or interim expertise, we’re equipped to deliver high-quality talent at speed. We also manage compliance and onboarding efficiently, so you can focus on business continuity.
Submit a contract requirement today to discuss a flexible staffing solution that meets your goals.
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What are the average rates for UK contractors?
The average rate for contractors varies widely depending on factors such as industry, location, skill level, and demand. We conduct market research and consider these variables when determining the appropriate rate for hiring contractors in your specific context.
For an in-depth overview of typical contract rates across the UK for your industry, you can use our Salary Guide, which provides contract rate data, insights and hiring trends.
It draws from the analysis of over 100,000 permanent, interim, and contract placements. This can help you precisely benchmark contractor day rates, ensuring you can attract and retain top contractors effectively.
For more insights into contractor hiring in 2025, download our free Contractor Recruitment Guide.
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What are the current trends for contract recruitment agencies in the UK?
The UK is witnessing a rising demand for flexible staffing solutions, fuelled by economic uncertainty and shifting workforce preferences.
Employers are increasingly prioritising agility, seeking professionals with specialised skill sets in sectors such as IT, healthcare, and engineering to fill project-based roles efficiently. Remote work opportunities and digital transformation in the UK are also reshaping the landscape of temporary and contract recruitment, enabling businesses to access talent from broader geographic pools. Technology plays a crucial role in streamlining recruitment processes, making it easier for employers to source, manage, and onboard candidates for short-term positions.
As businesses adapt to changing market conditions, the focus on flexibility and specialised expertise continues to drive growth in the temporary and contract recruitment sector across the UK.
Submit a contract requirement today to discuss your staffing needs with one of the UK's leading contract recruitment agencies.
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How does the market for temporary and contract recruitment in London compared to other regions?
London's market for temporary and contract recruitment is among the most dynamic in the UK. Temp recruitment agencies in London play a crucial role in connecting businesses with skilled professionals for short-term and contract roles, ensuring agility in a fast-paced economy.
As a global business hub, the city hosts diverse industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, and creative sectors, all of which rely heavily on flexible staffing solutions to meet project-based demands and seasonal fluctuations. The high concentration of multinational companies and evolving workforce needs further drive demand for these services. Compared to other regions, London's competitive market and adaptability make it a leader in temporary and contract recruitment, supporting businesses in navigating challenges while maintaining operational efficiency.
Access our comprehensive Contractor Recruitment Guide and discover how your business can benefit from London's thriving contract recruitment market.
Salary Survey 2025
If you're growing your team or simply need to retain the talent you have, the Salary Survey guides you with the insights you need to have the right team in place to keep your business moving.